Armenia's president has expressed concern for the safety of an Armenian community in Syria.

President Serzh Sarkisian released a statement on March 24 from The Hague, where he is attending a two-day nuclear security summit.

Sarkisian said the situation in the Syrian city of Kesab, where the majority of people are Armenians, has deteriorated in the last few days and residents are fleeing to escape attacks from Islamic militants.

Sarkisian said he had instructed Armenian diplomats at the United Nations to press officials to take action to ensure the safety of the Armenians from Kesab.

RFE/RL's Armenian Service managed to contact some of those Armenians who made it to the Syrian coastal province of Latakia.

One woman named Shoghik thanked Syrian government troops for helping the Armenians to reach safety in Latakia and added she knew of no Armenian casualties.